Daily News

Posted on Feb. 13: Nominations open for 2003 President’s Award of Excellence – Student Leadership

Nominations are now being accepted for the President's Award of Excellence - Student Leadership. Nomination forms are available from the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs), Gilmour Hall, Room 207. The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 14. The President's Award of Excellence was established in 1993 to recognize in-course students in their graduating year who have demonstrated a commitment to the University's belief in excellence in its student body. The selection committee may present up to three awards annually. Each award will be a President's Student Medal of Excellence and the recipient will have his/her name inscribed on a commemorative plaque displayed permanently in the McMaster University Student Centre. This award acknowledges the contributions made by students who play a significant role in improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural and/or athletic fabric of the McMaster community.

Posted on Feb. 12: McMaster Muslims mark end of Hajj with prayers, festival

Hundreds of McMaster Muslims joined in communal prayer at Copps Coliseum Tuesday, to mark the end of the Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. They joined thousands of Muslims in the day-long event that featured communal prayers and a multicultural festival. "The prayers, and the holiday that follows, are called Eid ul-Adha (eed-al-ADD-ha), or "festival of the sacrifice," explains Ahmed Ferouz, vice-president of the McMaster Muslims' Association. "Eid ul-Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God's command. The holiday is celebrated with the prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of aid to the needy, and social gatherings." Each year, about two million Muslims make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the Hajj at least once in their lives if they can afford it. The spiritual journey is meant to cleanse the soul and wipe away sins. Those not participating in the journey celebrate Eid al-Adha. On Friday, Feb. 14, the association will celebrate Eid al-Adha with a dinner at 6 p.m. in the CIBC Banquet Hall of the McMaster University Student Centre. Tickets are $20 or $17 for MSA members and are available from the Muslim Students' Association office, Rm. 108, Wentworth House or at the door. For ticket information contact macmsa@macmsa.com. The Muslim Students' Association has established a prayer space on campus for daily prayers and uses the Ivor Wynne Centre for a Friday congregational prayer, which draws gatherings of more than 400 people.

Posted on Feb. 12: MSU celebrates three decades of affordable, quality child care

More than 30 years ago, the McMaster Students Union identified the importance of getting involved in providing accessible, affordable, quality child care for McMaster students, staff and the surrounding community. As a result, it established a daycare for the University community, now known as the MSU Child Care Centre. On Saturday, Feb. 15, the daycare celebrates its 30th anniversary with a fundraising silent auction and dance. The event takes place at Quarters restaurant in the McMaster University Student Centre. Tickets are $25 per person and include h'ors d'oeuvres, a late night buffet and a DJ. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of an air conditioner. For tickets or to support the centre through a silent auction prize donation, call Debbie Thomson at 905-526-1544. Originally located at St. Cuthbert's Presbyterian Church on Bond Street North, the daycare soon outgrew that space and set up shop five years later at MacNeill Baptist Church at 1145 King Street West. Today, the program services 55 families with children ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years. The Centre is based on a not-for-profit model and all fees are directed back into supporting the objectives of the centre. The MSU and support from various levels of government provide additional funding. Caring, qualified early childcare educators develop, design and deliver fun and educational programming. An on-site cook prepares healthy snacks and meals for the children. Several students and community members provide additional support through co-op placements and by volunteering with the centre.

Posted on Feb. 12: Pinball Wizard rocks McMaster

Tommy, whose birth was framed by the Second World War, witnessed a murder as a child and became numb to the world. In his parents efforts to cure him, he met intriguing characters along the way. This month, McMaster's Musical Theatre follows the incredible journey of transformation from deaf-dumb-and-blindness to pinball wizard stardom in the rock musical Tommy by The Who's Pete Townshend. Tommy takes the Robinson Memorial Theatre stage Feb. 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and March 1. All shows begin at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on March 1. Robinson Memorial Theatre is located in Chester New Hall, Rm. 103. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets, call the McMaster Musical Theatre box office at ext. 26225.

Posted on Feb. 11: Chinese ambassador to Canada visits McMaster

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada Mei Ping is exploring McMaster and its strong Chinese connections. Ping, and his wife Mei Lin Sha, visited with students Monday in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). Today, he will tour the School of Business Trading Centre and AIC wing, as well as the Faculty of Engineering's Machining Systems Laboratory and McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute. He returns to Ottawa this afternoon. McMaster President Peter George hosted a reception and dinner for the ambassador Monday. Luke Chan, executive director of the Office of International Affairs, hosted a dinner Sunday. Born in 1943 in Shanghai, Mei became the ambassador in 1998. He is the fourth ambassador of China to visit McMaster. The number of Chinese students attending McMaster has increased substantially since 1994, when the University had three undergraduate students from China, according to the Office of International Affairs. In 2002, preliminary figures show McMaster had 635 undergraduate and 116 graduate visa students from China. In 2002, a total of 1,537 international students (undergraduate and graduate) attended McMaster. Photo caption: Pictured above, Ping and Lin Sha spoke with first-year social science student Bailin Li, top left, and first-year MBA student Chao Yu during his visit with students in the MUSC. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay